Samuel Bolton

Exodus 15:11 says, "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" Here Bolton draws the truth that our wonderful God does wonderful things for his church and people. God does not only do wonders, but great wonders (Ps. 136:4). No, mighty wonders (Dan. 4:3). He does amazing, astonishing wonders for his church and his people. What are these? How does he do them? When does he do them? Will he do them for us? It is the church's duty to understand God's glory and his wonders; and make known his glory and his wonders to all people. But to declare it we must understand it, and in understanding it, such compels us to declare it, for we cannot hold our tongues back to testify to the glorious wonders of God's work. Those who truly are partakers of his glorious grace, found in no one else than Jesus Christ, must testify by their life and witness, and their praise, of God's glorious and wondrous works. What an encouragement to the hungry and thirsty soul seeking the beauty of God and his works This is the substance of what Bolton will explain in detail, and will demonstrate, as he considers the wonderful workings of God to his church and people.

Samuel Bolton, D. D. (1606-1654) was a Westminster divine and Puritan scholar, and has been praised by many of his contemporaries as a great reformed preacher as well as a humble Christian. This work by Bolton is a divine encouragement to the needy Christian soul, and a means of drawing in the unbelieving soul to the love of Jesus Christ. His text is Song of Songs 4:9, "Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse: thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes; with one chain about thy neck." This text is something, as he says, which after we have been some while in heaven, we shall be able to understand. Certainly, no one can speak fully understand this text, except those who have the full enjoyments of Christ's love. Bolton looks to help cast us into its depth, and let it comprehend us. He is very successful in this endeavor. His doctrine is that the heart of Jesus Christ is exceedingly taken with his church and people. In fact, as the text shows, Christ is ravished by his bride. This comes to be a refreshing encouragement as well as a sober and solemn call to consider this Christ who loves his people so much. The person with the least grace in his church greatly takes his heart and moves him towards an inexpressible love for them, that, as Bolton explains, would sink us down forever in our contemplation of it, being without words, and most astonishing. Is this the way that you think about Jesus Christ and his eye towards you? Is he captivated by you, ravished by you, and in turn, are you then ravished back? This work will raise your soul to gain you a further love of the Savior who loves his people so much that he came and died for them, gave them all things, and has them forever on his mind and heart, for he is ravished with them in expressible love. This work is not a scan or facsimile, has been carefully transcribed by hand being made easy to read in modern English, and has an active table of contents for electronic versions.

Christian Freedom provides an accessible entry into Samuel Bolton's original work, The True Bounds of Christian Freedom, first published in 1645. This book is not simply an academic discussion of the issues; Samuel Bolton constantly reminds his readers of the gospel, and the great transformation that has happened to a person who has trusted in Jesus Christ. Bolton shows us clearly that real Christian obedience comes from a changed heart, and is motivated by love for God. He deals with the practical question of what happens when Christians fall into sin, and encourages us to rely on what Christ has done for us, rather than on our performance.